Green tea benefits to health are gradually being recognized the world over. The beverage that has been a staple in Japan, China and other Asian countries for countless centuries has made tremendous inroads into the dietary consciousness of people in the Americas, Europe and many other areas of the world.

What is Green Tea?

​Green tea is a beverage made from steeping the minimally-oxidized dried leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. This plant is the source of the so-called 'true teas', i.e. green tea,black tea, oolong tea, white tea. What makes green tea distinct from these other tea types is the level of oxidation undergone by its leaves. Upon harvest, the tea leaves are steamed almost immediately and then dried. Due to the minimal processing time, most of its healthy properties are "trapped" and thereby preserved within the leaves. This explains the general belief that green tea has a higher level of beneficial antioxidants than its counterparts.

Types of Green Tea

There are several types of green tea. The most well-known types are those that originated from China and Japan. Among them are:

Chinese green teas

Lung Ching Tea

Gunpowder Tea

Pi Lo Chun Tea

Jasmine Tea

Dragonwell Tea

Japanese green teas

Sencha Tea

Genmaicha Tea

Gyokuro Tea

Kukicha Tea

Matcha Tea

How to make a nice cup of Green Tea

Green tea is typically enjoyed by steeping a handful of dried leaves in a cup of newly-boiled water for about 5 minutes. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor. It also comes in teabags and these are similarly dunked in a cup of newly-boiled water for a similar duration as when the loose leaves are used. Matcha tea, on the other hand, comes in powdered form. It is typically enjoyed by placing a teaspoon of the powder on a small cup and adding some simmered hot water onto it. It is then whisked gently until the mix is frothy.

Depending on the type of green tea, the flavor may either be grassy and light (in the case of sencha tea and many Japanese varieties), floral (in the case of jasmine tea), popcorn-like (genmaicha tea) or vegetal (in the case of dragonwell tea and many Chinese varieties).

The Health Benefits

Green tea benefits are generally derived from the following components:

Catechins - these are phytochemical compounds possessing antioxidant properties that abound in the green tea leaves. Catechins are antioxidant polyphenols that are responsible for the astringency in green tea. Medical research has indicated that these compounds have the ability to prevent the cell-damaging activities of so-called free radicals. The most important catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG.

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Theanine - this is an amino acid that seems to improve the mood and cognitive functions, as well as enhance the mood and lessen stress levels.

Vitamins - these are organic chemical compounds and nutrients needed by the human body in the performance of its daily functions. Green tea leaves contain mostly Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin B2.

Minerals - these are mostly inorganic elements absorbed from the earth and these are likewise needed by the human body. Green tea mostly contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Saponins - these are chemical compounds derived from plants that may contain medicinal properties.

Folic Acid - this is a water-soluble B-vitamin that helps in the production of healthy cells.

Beta Carotene - this is a red-orange colored organic compound that provides a variety of benefits to the human body.

The following are the green tea benefits believed to be highly beneficial to its users:

Green tea may help fight cancer - this is due to the presence of the antioxidant catechins that counter the damages wrought by free radicals on the body's cells.

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It may help fight inflammation - the antioxidants in the beverage helps counter the damaging type of inflammation and pain associated with a host of serious ailments and diseases.

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Green tea may help boost the immune system - this is mainly due to the wealth of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in the tea that help protect the body from the damaging attacks of viruses, bacteria and the like that bring about various disorders.

It may help combat cardiovascular and other heart-related ailments - the antioxidant polyphenols found in green tea have been observed to exert blood pressure-lowering, cholesterol-lowering, blood clot-preventing properties that may have the overall effect of decreasing the chances of cardiovascular ailments.

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Green tea may help fight stroke - the antioxidant properties in tea are also believed to help protect individuals from stroke and other cerebrovascular ailments by fighting oxidative stress from which these disorders emanate.

It may help fight diabetes - the EGCG antioxidant is believed to have a positive effect on the body's glucose metabolism.

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Green tea may help promote weight loss - the EGCG antioxidant is believed to help inhibit enzymes that suppress bodily hormones that break down fat.

This drink may help promote tooth and oral health -the nutrient and antioxidant components of green tea are believed responsible for its ability to promote gum health, cavity prevention, tooth strength and better breath.

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It may help enhance brain functions - the antioxidant EGCG is believed to help enhance cognitive functions as well as the number of brain neurons.

﻿​Green Tea Benefits Trivia﻿​Did you know that...

Green tea is often classified as one of the so-called 'superfoods' due to its wealth of health-boosting components that may help fight a wide array of ailments and diseases. 'Superfood' is the term used to describe foods with high antioxidant and phytonutrient content.

Vitamin C is said to help the body absorb more of the antioxidant content of green tea. New studies have shown that taking citrus juices, like those of oranges and lemons, along with green tea enable more of the tea's antioxidants to remain after the digestion process is completed.

Antioxidants in green tea help fight the ravages of free radicals that are seen as the source of many of today's debilitating diseases. Did you know that aside from the catechins that are so abundant in green tea, there are many other types of antioxidants?

Green tea is said to help in lowering calories and fighting fat. This seeming ability to aid in weight loss is attributed to the polyphenols found in the beverage.

The Japanese and the people from the Mediterranean region of Europe have some of the world's longest life expectancy rates. And while the Japanese look to green tea as their favorite after-meal drink, the Mediterranean peoples love to have red wine after their meals. Green tea and red wine? Could any two beverages be any more different?

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Disclaimer: The contents of this site are intended for educational and informational purposes only. The information herein found should NOT be used as a substitute for seeking the attention of qualified medical practitioners in diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing ailments and diseases.